Ravichandran Ashwin on the verge of breaking Anil Kumble's all-time record during the Ranchi Test vs England

Veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is on the cusp of breaking legendary Anil Kumble’s record during the upcoming 4th Test against England in Ranchi. Ravichandran Ashwin needs three wickets to become the most successful bowler in India in Test cricket.

The Rohit Sharma-led team will face England in their next match at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi, starting on Friday, February 23. Currently, the home team is leading the five-match series with a commanding 2-1 lead after the first three matches.

Ashwin made significant contributions in both innings of the first Test, securing three wickets each. Despite going wicketless in the first innings of the Visakhapatnam match, he bounced back strongly in the second innings, clinching three crucial wickets.

During the third Test at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot, Ravichandran Ashwin claimed two wickets across both innings. Nonetheless, the match marked a significant milestone for him as he became the second Indian bowler to achieve 500 wickets in Test Cricket.

Ravichandran Ashwin Needs Three Wickets To Break Anil Kumble’s Record

Ravichandran Ashwin has taken 348 wickets in 58 matches at a remarkable average of 21.32 on home soil. The 37-year-old has recorded 26 five-wicket hauls and six 10-wicket hauls. He needs just three more wickets to surpass Anil Kumble’s record for the most wickets in India.

Anil Kumble leads the elite list with 350 wickets in 63 Test matches at home. The legendary leg spinner took 25 five-wicket hauls and seven 10-wicket hauls. Harbhajan Singh and Kapil Dev occupy the third and fourth positions with 265 wickets and 215 wickets, respectively.

Most Wickets By Indian Bowler In Home Tests

Anil Kumble – 350 wickets

Ravichandran Ashwin – 348 wickets

Harbhajan Singh – 265 wickets

Kapil Dev – 219 wickets

Ravindra Jadeja – 206 wickets

The Tamil Nadu-born cricketer made his Test debut against the West Indies in November 2011. He has taken 501 wickets in 98 Test matches at an impressive average of 23.94. He has secured 34 five-wicket hauls and eight ten-wicket hauls in his illustrious Test career.

Ashwin is poised to achieve another significant milestone in his cricketing career as he prepares for his 99th Test match for India in Ranchi. He is set to become only the third Indian spinner to reach the milestone of playing 100 Test matches for India in Dharamsala.

Congratulations To Ravichandran Ashwin – Sunil Gavaskar

Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar congratulated Ravichandran Ashwin on claiming his 500th Test wicket. Gavaskar expressed that Ashwin deserved the captaincy accolade a few years ago, given his exceptional cricketing knowledge and innovative approach.

“Congratulations to Ravichandran Ashwin on capturing his 500th Test wicket. What a tremendous cricketer he has been! One of the finest thinkers in the game and always willing to try something new and different, be it a run-up, delivery action, or, of course, deliveries to bamboozle the batter,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for Mid-Day.

“He should have been honored with the India captaincy a couple of years back when there were two India teams playing around the same time. Well done, Ashwin, and I wish you many more wickets, newer deliveries, and different actions in the future,” he added.

Also read: Revealed: Why Ravichandran Ashwin was allowed to bowl without facing ‘penalty time’ under ICC regulations